9/6/13

3D Printing... A new way to 'Cook'?

I've been intrigued lately by 3-D printing - have you heard
about it? It's pretty incredible and opens up a whole new range of options for
us as designers. Very simply, these printers build
a three-dimensional object by adding successive layers of material millions of
times over according to a digital blueprint, creating all sorts of objects for
use in design, construction, decor...the list keeps growing as fast as its
popularity. But this option is perfect for me, because it combines two of my
favorites: design and food!

Shoeburger: As part of a contest, the bun
for this burger was baked in a shoe-shaped pan that the entrant created on his
3D printer. (via Shapeways)

Gummy People: Move over
bears, worms, and fruit shapes, the new way to get your gummy-candy fix is by
printing a 3D version of your own body. We’re thinking these would make great
birthday party or wedding favors in the shapes of the guests of honor.
(via dvice)

Pasta: This
is still a prototype, but imagine all the pasta shapes you could be enjoying
once this printer becomes a reality!
What shape would you make first? (via Inhabitat)

Nasa is getting into the mix too...
it has funded research for a 3D printer that creates entrees or desserts at the
touch of a button. (This reminds me of a Star Trek episode...!) Texas-based
Systems and Materials Research has been selected for a $125,000 grant from Nasa
to develop a 3D printer that will create "nutritious and flavorful"
food suitable for astronauts, according to the company's proposal. Using a
"digital recipe", the printers will combine powders to produce food
that has the structure and texture of, well, actual food.